Chapter Ten

The Hospital Wing

Harry was speechless. Hermione beamed up at him, no longer showing any signs of pain whatsoever. Her clothes were stained of dirt from the horrible accident that occurred seconds ago, her head throbbing from the pain, and her eyes red and puffy from the tears. However it was no longer the first thing on her mind. Harry, unsure of what to do next broke the silence.

"Well, I guess we better get going." He said. Arg! You idiot. Out of all the things that you could've said… those are words you picked? He thought looking away from Hermione. "Uh… Can you even move?"

Hermione used up all of her strength to attempt to stand up, but her legs could not support her. "I-I can't. I can't stand up."

"Oh shit. I'm so sorry Hermione, I feel terrible for what happened," he said in shame. "I'll carry you to the hospital wing."

"All right. Are you sure you can lift me? I've got all that muscle on me you know," she smirked. Harry easily picked her up, carrying her in front of him. He actually got a long way before his arms began to hurt, when he motioned her to climb on his back. The simple transition took quite a bit of time.

Hermione playfully kissed Harry on the cheek along the way; making him blush each time he felt her lips upon him.

Finally they approached the hospital wing, which was completely empty. Harry picked the nearest bed and gently placed Hermione on top of it.

"I have to go now," he said reluctantly. He didn't really have to go. He had nothing to do, however late it was. It was a Saturday night and he was already fairly ahead on his homework. He started to trudge out of the room, leaving Hermione helpless on the hospital bed.

"Harry, wait." Hermione said softly. He cautiously returned to the brunette's side. She continued to gaze deeply into his emerald orbs. "I just wanted to say, that I had an amazing time tonight."

Harry stomach did a somersault at the comment. "Me too." He said catching her lips in a gentle kiss. It felt so different. He had never kissed a girl this way before, and never expected he would. He loved every second of it though. He hesitantly pulled away, never wanting the great feeling to cease. He stroked her cheek softly and backed away.

"I'll come by in the morning, when nobody's around. I promise."

Hermione blew him a quick kiss. "Good night."

"Has anybody seen Hermione?" Draco asked, wandering through the common room. They were supposed to get ahead on their most recent potions assignment on Unicorn blood. By this time the brown-eyed girl was usually up and about, having breakfast or doing work. "Pansy! Was Hermione in the girl's dormitory still when you left?"

"Umm. No. As a matter of fact, I didn't see her all night since ten or so. I have no idea where she could've been."

Draco shortly found Blaise and asked him the same question, worrying about his friend.

"No mate, haven't seen her either. Maybe she's in the great hall?"

"Good idea. I think I'll look there. I'll be back in a few," he said stumbling to the door. If she's not there where on earth could she be? She's not in the library, its not even open yet. The kitchen? Unlikely. Outside? I don't think so either. She told me she would wait in the common room, just like she always does. Draco thought suspiciously.

"Draco! Hi! How are you?" a familiar voice asked, stopping him in his tracks. It was none other then Alex Durstrom.

"Oh hullo. I'm fine. Do you need something? Because I'm kind of looking for Hermione right now and I have no clue as to where she is."

"Well actually I was wondering if you knew about the trip to Hogsmeade next weekend. I already have the permission slip signed and well… ah what the hell- do you want to go with me? You know, show me around and stuff. I've never been there before so I think I'll be a bit lost," she explained looking at the ground.

"Yeah I'd love to!"

"Great! I'll see you there then?"

"For sure!" he said, receiving an unexpected hug from the seventh year. Draco could hardly believe his luck. First Hermione forgives him, along with Alex. And now she's asking him on a date? Well it can't really be a date can it? After what I did to her? He was slowly becoming sidetracked from his main objective for the morning- finding Hermione.

"Oh and by the way Draco, Hermione is in the hospital wing. Jo told me. Apparently she fell down the stairs and got bruised pretty badly, so she stumbled her way to Madame Pomfrey last night."

Oh no! Draco thought nervously. I hope she's all right! The blond felt his pace quickening as he strode to find the injured girl.

As soon as he arrived he saw Hermione sleeping on the bed nearest to the entrance. Her eyes opened and she smiled at the sight of her friend.

"Hey."

"Hey." He said, thankful that she was talking to him. "I came as soon as I heard. How are you? Are you okay? Are you still in pain? How did this happen?"

"Don't be ridiculous Malfoy," Hermione laughed. "I'm perfectly fine. Well, maybe not perfectly fine, but I'm okay. Madame Pomfrey said that I bruised by spine terribly, and I'll be out of here by the end of the week. I'll be able to go to Hogsmeade with you guys!"

Draco immediately looked down at the floor sheepishly. "Well- uh- you see… I already kind of made plans… without you."

"You prat!" she chuckled amused at his worry. "I know! You're going with Alex aren't you?"

"There's a possibility," he grinned.

Hermione plainly rolled her eyes. "I knew it. Don't worry about it. I'll find someone else to go with. Now make sure you don't try to pull any funny stunts on her like that last one, because she will surely pummel you!"

"How did you know about that?" he asked angrily.

"Lets just say a little bird named Alex told me," Hermione smirked. The wizard scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"Do you want me to stay here? For a little while anyway. I have quidditch practice later in-"

"I'll be fine. You go do whatever you were planning to do," she said. "One more thing, though. Could you bring the homework for the rest of the week?"

"Of course. I'll see you later Mione."

"All right everyone. Great work today. Our next practice will be on Wednesday at seven-thirty. Come ready for a tough practice," announced newest quidditch captain of the Gryffindors, Jeff Helmcreft. Jeff was overall a good captain, but tended to get quite temperamental at times. He had come a very long way as a player, now in seventh year. He would most likely eventually be playing for a professional team.

"Harry you were really on today mate! Never seen you fly that fast before. It was incredible!" exclaimed Jeff, excited with the seeker's performance.

"Yeah… I was out practicing last night. It helped a lot."

"Well whatever it was, keep working on it! You can only get better."

Harry smiled to himself, remembering the events of the previous night, which had constantly been on his mind. He could hardly stop thinking about Hermione. It gave him shivers to merely think about her. Nothing seemed to bother him, not even the horrendous weather. The conditions for a practice were horrific, but nothing could put a damper on Harry's mood.

His robes were soaked. He strolled into the changing room, quickly getting into his muggle clothes. Today he had decided on a plain black turtleneck and jeans, which was warmer than his previous attire thus far. He did not even bother to talk to Ron after practice.

As he strolled down the corridors he remembered his promise with the Slytherin girl. Dammit! I was supposed to meet her hours ago! He thought inwardly. He rushed to his dorm to pick up the Marauder's map that he had retrieved years ago.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he whispered, unfolding the secrets of the magical map. He looked for the hospital wing and noticed that Draco had just left. Other than that the coast was clear. Most students were now in the great hall having lunch.

Minutes felt like hours as he raced down the halls to reach Hermione. He couldn't bear to keep her waiting. At last he found her, engrossed in the latest issue of the daily prophet.

She glanced over at Harry, and then to the clock.

"Hmm. It's twelve fifty-six. What happened to I'll meet you in the morning?" she said sternly, concealing a grin.

"I had important things to deal with Granger. I am quite an important guy, you know."

"Aren't you sounding pompous? Got something up your ass today?" she laughed childishly.

"You've definitely crossed the line now Granger," he said closing the distance between them. "How are you feeling anyway?"

"Considering the fall I took the other day, not bad." She told him calmly. He slowly knelt down beside the girl.

"I have to say, you look great. I was an idiot yesterday not to tell you. I'm such a jerk."

"Here, here!"

"Thanks. You don't have to bloody rub it in. Hey are you going to Hogsmeade next weekend?"

"I don't know yet? Why the sudden question?"

"Well I'm not, and I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out over the weekend. Almost all the Gryffindors are going, so it would be nice and quiet here at the castle. What do you think?"

"Lets see. Should I hang out with jerk-face Potter?" she inquired out loud, giggling at his reaction. "Oh I guess so. As long as you don't find another crazy reason to kiss me again."

"Hermione," He cooed. "I don't need a crazy reason to kiss you."

This statement took Hermione aback. She pulled him in for an aggressive kiss, pushing her lips firmly to his own. She felt her hands running through his hair, and his bringing her towards him.

"OW!" she yelped, wincing in pain. Harry dropped her stupidly.

"Oh god, what did I do this time?" he asked nervously.

"Its my neck! It hurts like crazy when I lean forward like that."

"Oops. Let's see if doctor Potter can fix it," Harry said, leaning in to kiss her neck.

"Does it hurt here?" he whispered seductively, causing Hermione's cheeks to attain a light shade of pink. "Or here… Or here?"

He finally found her lips again, sending waves of electricity throughout her body. Her heart raced wildly as he deepened the kiss with more passion then ever before.

Harry pulled away.

"What is it?" Hermione asked upset at the movement.

"Malfoy. He's coming back into the wing. I have to get out of here. Shit! He's really close!" Harry said eyeing his map. Draco's figure paused for a few moments, but only to say a few words to Blaise. Soon he continued on to the door, showing absolutely no signs of stopping.

"HIDE!" Hermione squealed, pointing under the single bed. "Quickly! He's nearly in the bloody door."

"Draco? What are you doing back here so soon? I thought you had quidditch practice. Was it cancelled?" Hermione asked looking quite frazzled.. She could feel Harry poking the mattress in different spots as he shifted beneath her.

"No, no. I forgot my watch. My father gave it to me a long time ago. I wouldn't want to lose it… hey did you hear something?"

Hermione coughed loudly. "Um no not at all."

Harry squirmed under the bed, trying to be silent. He accidentally pushed the bed skirt with his left arm, causing it to shake.

"Hermione! I think there's something under the bed!" Draco exclaimed. "I just saw it move!"

"Oh I'm sure it was nothing, Draco just leave it."

Harry held his breath as Draco slowly knelt down and nearly lifted the fabric that blocked him from sight. His body was completely still.

"DRACO!" Hermione yelled. He stopped only for a second.

"What is-"

"I- uh- well- you see I..."

"Blimey Hermione! What is the bloody problem here? Stop wasting my bloody time," he said, inching towards the stone floor. Hermione was running out of ideas. She was becoming desperate. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh shit here goes nothing! She thought frantically as she planted a kiss on Draco's lips.

He was taken aback by the sudden gesture. He had never expected Hermione of all people to do something as crazy as that. He stared at her in confusion.

"Uh, Hermione? Is there something that you need to tell me here? I'm sorry but I don't exactly feel the same way about you. I just want to be friends."

"Oh it was nothing Draco. I only wanted to see what it was like to kiss a Malfoy," she chuckled seductively. Draco blushed a light shade of pink and looked to the floor, but recovered momentarily.

"Well you must have enjoyed it. I guess I'll catch you later then," he said, grabbing his watch and heading for the door. Both Harry and Hermione simultaneously sighed in relief.

Harry crawled out from his uncomfortable position underneath the bed.

"Good save," Harry said nonchalanty trying to hide jealousy. What the fuck was that? She was just bloody kissing me. Who the hell does she think she is? He thought inwardly.

Hermione could tell that Harry was upset. "I was out of ideas, and how could I explain the situation if he actually found you?"

"Whatever. I don't care."

"Do you want to know what it felt like?" she asked quitely, beckoning him towards her.

A/N: another chappie of goodness. Thats all i gotta say this time. Please read and review. Thanks reviewers. :D